GB2535695A

GB2535695A - Cup holder

Info

Publication number: GB2535695A
Application number: GB1501554.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Litwin Leslie
Original assignee: ZILICA Ltd
Current assignee: ZILICA Ltd
Priority date: 2015-01-30
Filing date: 2015-01-30
Publication date: 2016-08-31
Anticipated expiration: 2035-01-30
Also published as: GB2535695B; GB201501554D0

Abstract

A cup holder for a supermarket trolley comprises a body having a cup receiving section and a trolley handle receiving section so that in use the cup older can be stably fitted onto the trolley handle and thereafter receive a cup. The cup holder may be stackable, recyclable and biodegradable. It may be fabricated from cardboard. In ne embodiment the holder may be placed in the bottom of a shipping basket (figure 11a, not shown).

Description

CUP HOLDER

The present invention relates generally to a cup holder and particularly to a beverage cup holder for use in conjunction with a supermarket trolley, basket or the like.

It is increasingly common for users of supermarket trolleys, baskets and the like to have a beverage with them as they shop; for example a hot beverage such as coffee, tea or hot chocolate, or a cold beverage such as water, squash, juice or a carbonated beverage. Transporting the beverage cup at the same time as shopping is problematic and may lead to spillages.

The present invention seeks to address the problem of transporting "live" (i.e. open and being drunk) beverages whilst shopping.

According to the present invention there is provided a cup holder for a supermarket trolley, comprising a body having a cup receiving section, and a trolley handle receiving section such that the holder can be stably fitted onto the trolley handle and thereafter a cup can be stably received.

The cup holder allows a beverage cup or the like to be stably transported whilst shopping.

The body may be formed from a material which is recyclable and/or disposable and/or biodegradable.

In some embodiments, for example, at least part of the body is formed from cardboard.

The cup receiving section may be sized to suit a particular size/shape cup or other drinking vessel. In some embodiments the receiving section comprises a through hole and in others a blind hole is provided. The section may be sized/shaped to hold the vessel tightly (i.e. "grip").

The handle receiving section may comprise a notch. A notch, groove, gully, channel or the like may be provided and shaped/sized to match the contours of a trolley handle (e.g. a generally cylindrical handle). The notch or the like may be sized/shaped to grip the handle or may be a loose fit.

The holder may comprise means for securing the body to a trolley i.e. something for actively preventing the body from falling off the trolley.

The body may be stackable with one or more further such bodies.

In some embodiments part of the body may be arranged to rest on a trolley basket The present invention also provides a holder substantially as shown and/or described herein.

The present invention also provides a hot beverage cup holder for a supermarket trolley, comprising a body having a cup receiving section, and a trolley handle receiving section such that the holder can be stably fitted onto the trolley handle and thereafter a cup can be stably received.

The present invention also provides a beverage vessel holder for a supermarket trolley, comprising a body having a vessel receiving section, and a trolley handle receiving section such that the holder can be stably fitted onto the trolley handle and thereafter a beverage vessel can be stably received.

The present invention also provides a supermarket trolley fitted with one or more holders as shown and/or described herein.

Different aspects and embodiments of the invention may be used separately or together.

Further particular and preferred aspects of the present invention are set out in the accompanying independent and dependent claims. Features of the dependent claims may be combined with the features of the independent claims as appropriate, and in combination other than those explicitly set out in the claims.

The present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure I is a perspective view of a cup holder formed according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the holder of Figure I; Figure 3 is a plan view of the holder of Figure I; Figure 4 is an underplan view of the holder of Figure I; Figures 5A and 5B are plan and side view of a holder formed according to an alternative embodiment; Figures 6A and 6B show perspective views of a holder formed according to an alternative embodiment; Figures 7A and 7B show perspective and side views of the holder of Figures 6A and 6B fitted with a beverage cup; Figure 8 shows a stack of cup holders of the type shown in Figures 6 and 7; Figure 9 shows a holder of the type shown in Figures 6 and 7 fitted to a supermarket trolley; Figure 10 shows the holder of Figure 9 holding a beverage cup; Figures I IA and I IB show the holder of Figures 9 and 10 resting in a supermarket basket; Figures I 2A to I 2E show perspective, top, side, front and back views of a holder formed according to an alternative embodiment; and Figure 13 shows schematically the holder of Figure 12 fitted onto a trolley.

Example embodiments are described below in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to embody and implement the systems and processes herein described. It is important to understand that embodiments can be provided in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein.

Accordingly, while embodiments can be modified in various ways and take on various alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and described in detail below as examples. There is no intent to limit to the particular forms disclosed. On the contrary, all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims should be included. Elements of the example embodiments are consistently denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings and detailed description where appropriate.

The terminology used herein to describe embodiments is not intended to limit the scope. The articles "a," "an," and "the" are singular in that they have a single referent, however the use of the singular form in the present document should not preclude the presence of more than one referent. In other words, elements referred to in the singular can number one or more, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," and/or "including," when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, items, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, items, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein are to be interpreted as is customary in the art. It will be further understood that terms in common usage should also be interpreted as is customary in the relevant art and not in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Referring first to Figures I to 4 there is shown a cup holder generally indicated 10.

The holder 10 comprises a body 15 having a generally rectangular top plate 20 and four sidewalls 25, 30, 35, 40 depending from the periphery of respective sides of the top plate.

The top plate 20 includes a generally circular through hole 21 towards one end thereof and defined by a generally annular skirt 22 depending from the periphery of the hole.

Each of the sidewalls has a generally crenelated appearance to give strength to the structure. The sidewalls are all inclined outwardly as they extend from the top plate. The free end of each sidewall is slightly outwardly flared.

The opposite sidewalls 25, 30 each have an arch-shape notch 26, 31. The notches 26, 31 are in line with each other. The periphery of the exterior of each notch is flared to give added strength.

Figures 5A and 5B show a holder generally indicated 110. The holder 110 is similar to the holder 10.

Referring now to Figures 6A and 6B a holder 210 formed according to an alternative embodiment is shown. The holder 210 is similar to the holder 10. Figures 7A and 7B show the holder 210 with a beverage cup 250 fitted. The cup sidewall 251 is inclined and fits into the hole 221, sliding down against the skirt 222 until it cannot move any further so that the cup is stably retained.

In Figure 8 a plurality of holders 210 of the type described in Figures 6 and 7 are shown stacked one on top of the other. This is possible because of the hollow underside/interior of the body and the inclined and flared sidewalls 225, 230, 235, 240.

In Figure 9 a holder 210 of the type shown in Figures 6 to 8 is fitted onto a supermarket trolley 260. The trolley handle 280 is received in the notches 226, 231 and the free ends of the sidewalls 225,230 rest on a trolley bar 285.

In Figure 10 a beverage cup 250 is shown fitted into the holder as described above.

Figures 11A and 11 B shown the cup holder 210 with a beverage cup 250 in place Because the bottom of the body presents a stable base, with the free ends of the sidewalls terminating in the same flat plane, the holder can be stably rested on the base 275 of a basket 270. The flaring at the free end of the sidewalls helps to improve stability as well as increase strength and rigidity.

Figures 12A to 12E show a holder 310 formed according to a further embodiment.

Figure 13 illustrates how the holder fits onto a trolley, with the trolley handle 380 received in/by the notches 326, 331 and the free ends of the sidewalls 325, 330 resting on a trolley bar 385.

Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

CLAIMSI. A cup holder for a supermarket trolley, comprising a body having a cup receiving section, and a trolley handle receiving section such that the holder 5 can be stably fitted onto the trolley handle and thereafter a cup can be stably received.
2. A holder as claimed in Claim I, in which the body is formed from a recyclable material.
3. A holder as claimed in Claim I or Claim 2, in which the holder is disposable.
4. A holder as claimed in any perceiving claim, in which the handle receiving section comprises a notch.
5. A holder as claimed in any perceiving claim, in which the body is stacicable.
6. A holder as claimed in any perceiving claim, in which the body is formed from cardboard.
7. A holder as claimed in any perceiving claim, in which the body is biodegradable.
8. A holder as claimed in any perceiving claim, in which part of the body is arranged to rest on a trolley basket.

15 20 25
9. A holder substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and shown in, the accompanying drawings.
10. A supermarket trolley fitted with one or more holders as claimed in any preceding claim.
11. A hot beverage cup holder for a supermarket trolley, comprising a body having a cup receiving section, and a trolley handle receiving section such that the holder can be stably fitted onto the trolley handle and thereafter a cup can be stably received.
12. A beverage vessel holder for a supermarket trolley, comprising a body having a vessel receiving section, and a trolley handle receiving section such that the holder can be stably fitted onto the trolley handle and thereafter a beverage vessel can be stably received.